Shehanne Moore's Blog, page 40
December 19, 2013
On the ninth day of Christmas in the year…2050
Before you think you came to the wrong blog today….you never. Let’s move past the greatest Christmas story ever told to the second greatest…. Well, in my humble book when it comes to Christmas I still love the opening lines of 
Well, how would Christmas be Christmas without any presents…..
But when it comes to getting certain aspects of Christmas sur le plate as they say. for me it is still that book that encompasses all the aspects—- horror, ghosts, music, CAROLS, families, like or loathe them, never mind the lost past, present and future. AND the characters. For me, it is still this one…
Jeez, I even forget the Tiny Tim smaltz, in favour of the names in this story. That ‘s why on this …very naughty blog hop and cover reveal with Anne Lange…Hmmm, she has got something re the nine ladies dancing….http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/19/ninth-day-of-christmas/
as part of our special cover reveal giveaway.
My lips are sealed as to what exactly Anne has done with the song today….
I am not only letting you in on Dug’s lovely Christmas card, she went to a lot of trouble to design after authors Aubrey Wynne and Antonia Van Zandt admired her. I think it may be false eye-lashes next. Let’s face it Dug never got that Callm fancied Kara not her. 
I am not JUST bringing you something different on my advent calendar page, I am inviting ONE VERY BRAVE MAN onto my sumexy blog in the midst of this mayhem, to discuss the ghost of Christmas FUTURE……..IF Like a certain gent we don’t take care….
Have yourself a very merry eco Christmas…….. By Peter Romilly. (Not pictured above.)
What do you do if you want to be green at Christmas? You could try a spot of face painting (ho ho ho)
(hmmmm …clock the green to the left there)
…..Or dig a hole in the ground and hibernate. Your friends won’t disturb you ‘cos they won’t know you’re there, and you’ll be using your own body heat rather than that expensive and probably polluting electricity from the national grid.
( But can we play Harry and Sally charades???)
Failing this radical and rather non-festive idea, my suggestion is to try reuse and recycling. How about vases made from fire extinguishers? 
(saying nothing except Peter was brave to come on here)
plates made from flattened wine bottles…
(a few I..uh.. sat me ass on earlier. Largely cos this is getting like an alternative 12 days of Christmas)
Belts made from bike tyres, wallets from strips of fire hose? And if you’re really posh, try upcycled presents, like an ipad case stitched from a mail sack, gold leaf tumblers from beer bottles, bangles and necklaces fashioned from unwanted cutlery.
(My god…my new heroine wouldn’t just have fashioned these.. she’d have stuck them on you and wrecked your life.)
There are a number of companies that sell these products, like www.uncommongoods.com in the US and www.treehugger.com and www.nigelsecostore.com in the UK.
All these items look good, they’re interesting, and they’re more sustainable than the mountains of battery powered plastic junk that will be lining the shelves of your shopping centre. And talking of batteries…
( Saying nothing re the other day only Peter is really brave. AND he has a great new book out.)
…..why not buy stuff like squeezy or windup torches instead of adding to the pile of little metal cylinders leaking acid into our soil? Buying organic is good (fewer chemicals) but preferably don’t buy from companies too far away.
If you want to be really really green, what about going to a class that teaches you reuse and upcycling skills, then you can amaze your friends and rellies every year with the presents you personally made for them. There’s an organisation called Skillshare in the US and the UK which does exactly this. For example, my local skillshare is http://www.skillsharedundee.org/.
Finally, here’s the big eco-Christmas conundrum: is it better to use a plastic Christmas tree year after year, or buy a real one every Yuletide? I’m really not sure about this. Maybe Santa or one of his helpers will know. 
(We know who they are don’t we?)
I’ll listen out for the sleighbells as I munch my way through that organic locally produced mince pie served on a shiny platter made from the champagne bottle I’ve just drunk. Merry Christmas everyone!
…………………….. So there we have it for today, except to say, ANY guy brave enough to step on this blog right now AND Lady Fury’s, deserves not just a special thank you AND a gold medal. He deserves to show off his new book.
BLURB .
The Year is 2050. Technology is dead. So are their plans.
Cli-Fidelity is a nuclear reactor with a difference – he’s underwater, tethered to the sea bed. He’s performed so well that the French government holds a special top-level conference to celebrate his twentieth birthday. But when Zeta Solek is invited on a promotional visit, she gets more than she bargained for, certainly not the group photo and commemorative DVD.
Her sister Dayna, a medical student on placement at Guy’s Hospital London, also finds her life turned upside down, but in a very different way. She’d been hoping to meet up with her boyfriend Marc, but an overnight stay in the Tower, a sturdy skyscraper attached to the hospital, puts paid to all her plans.
Thrown into this mix is Jules, a nuclear scientist with a curious obsession. He may be a scientist, but he has more than particle physics on his mind.
Set in 2050, Cli-Fidelity is the sequel to 500 Parts Per Million, although the story can be read independently. It’s a tale of climate instability, a world where four people try to survive whatever the extreme weather throws at them. Prepare for a bumpy ride.
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H7F33PA or
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7F33PA or
Australia: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00H7F33PA or
Canada: www.amazon.ca/dp/B00H7F33PA
Meet Peter here.
https://twitter.com/PeterRomilly
https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Romilly/33618918981311
Related media.
http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/miladys-book-club-welcomes-peter-romilly/
Call back tomorrow for another song line.
Filed under: blogging, Guest bloggers, heroes, heroines, writing Tagged: A Christmas Carol, Advent calendar, Anner Lange, Antonia Van Zandt, Charles Dickens, Christmas, Cli-Fidelity, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Loving Lady Lazuli, Peter Romilly, Tiny Tim 
December 18, 2013
On the Eighth Day of Christmas-meet the maids
AHHHHHH. It’s that logo again…. The one that inspired me to find some new positions 
and show you a piece of my Loving Lady Lazuli cover two days ago.
To mix up what day it was yesterday. (Keeping a low profile on that one. Attention to detail was never one of my finer points.) But what I can tell you is that yesterday Anne added another line of the song. Another that leaves me having to resort to cheap scene-stealing tricks. (One of my not so fine points) to showing you another piece of my cover…. 
Yes. Toys, was what Anne showed you yesterday in our down to Christmas Eve cover reveals, for our new books –
coming soon from http://etopia-press.net/
There were rabbits there.
Although I don’t know Anne’s were the kind Alice followed into Wonderland. Mind you maybe she did? maybe that’s why it’s called that. Anyway, I digress. Today is the eight day, Anne is of course showing you what we’ve got so far and sharing something Christmassy over here,
http://authorannelange.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/white-christmas/
I am as usual following her suggestions and instructions to the letter.
The song says 8 maids a’milking.
I am saying nothing re these blow up dolls ok. What I would say is that if my true love filled the house with all this junk on daily basis, I’d be joining online dating.
Also put the boot on the other foot. You get some sexy milkmaids you know. Ladies, send eight of her to your partner,
be your partner male or female, you could be asking for trouble.
So what has Anne come up with? (Do you like how I blame her for all this naughtiness)…. Eight Smexy Santas….
Hmmm. I am saying nothing about Decking or Halls.
I am going back to the maids a’milking for today’s tidbit from Loving Lady Lazuli. Let me introduce you to members of the Starkadder Sisterhood. The Jewel Thieves of London. Eight maids a nicking. Each one a precious jewel in their own right. Each one owned and trained by the late Nicodemus Starkadder. Each one now cast on fortune’s trading and changing winds….
Jade
in a fist fight, she’d win hands down.
Diamond
Every newspaper in London applauded her actions.
Splendor
Little Miss Do it all.
Pearl
Plain as milk
Ruby
A very refined girl
Amber
Not the kind to hang about.
Emerald
The mistress of crocodile tears.
And last but not least.
Sapphire
If he’d encountered her in a whore house he’d have put down his fortune to possess her.
So that’s it for today folks.. To enter the 
just leave a comment….
Filed under: heroes, heroines, writing Tagged: Anne Lange, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Loving Lady Lazuli, Shehanne Moore, Twelve Days of Christmas 
December 17, 2013
On the Seventh Day of Christmas
Yes. It’s an advent calendar day, which means for the next line of the song you need to pop over to Anne’s
http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/17/seventh-day-of-christmas/
to find out what she is going to come up with next that I am going to have to follow on our
Naughty 12 Days of Christmas cover reveal and giveaway event. In the song it’s swimming swans.
Goodness, look at this romantic pair. 
I admit to certain trepidation and the feeling I may have to resort to more cheap tricks! Like another piece of cover.
Anyway, as if I am not resorting to enough, blog hop here, nervous breakdown there, I’m visiting with a fabulous writer pal, Sharon Struth today, http://sharonstruth.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/three-reasons-why-you-should-read-his-judas-bride-by-shehanne-moore/
talking not Lady Lazuli but three of my favorite scenes from His Judas Bride. Naturally they involved the Wolf. Oooh-hooh. 
But I behaved. Okay? I mean I can now and again. Look, I don’t want the song going, ‘On THE Day of Christmas Santa gave to me.. a great fat lu-ump of coal.’ So I never said when it came to why you should read it, cos he’s a hunk, cos he’s sumexy cos he’s good in bed. I felt like it but I never.
Shaz made a lovely image of Dug from the book…
I stuck the hat and bauble on. I don’t know Dug would like it but…
What treat is in store in the advent calendar? SO far we’ve had, three specially written horror flashes from three fabulous horror writers, Cat Cavendish, Julia Kavan and Steve Emmett, an interview with the wonderful NY musician, Tali ’Icepack’ Jackson sharing stories of playing with Bob Dylan to name but one, the lovely author, Rhonda Laurel with her Christmas stocking hopes, AND the equally lovely, Elyzabeth M. Valey, another fabulous author, telling us about Spanish, Cuban, American Christmas traditions .
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Followi9ng that we have something you will be relieved to know has nothing to do with me…..
Recipes
And not just any old recipes…TWO special sumexy sets from two special sumexy people in two special places…
So let’s hear it firstly for the lovely Antonia Van Zandt, author of Seducing Amanda….a most erotic Christmas tale…..as you can see….
Shehanne has asked me to come up with a couple of traditional Austrian recipes. The sort of food that would have soothed the troubled Amanda (Seducing Amanda) had she lived in Vienna rather than England. Actually, Shehanne didn’t used the word ‘soothed’, she used the words ‘made her hot’. (Shehanne…Moi?)
OK, let’s go for it.
To understand the many traditions that combine to create Austrian cuisine, you need to remember that this country was once a mighty Empire. A Dual Monarchy (with Hungary) ruled over by an autocratic Emperor, the most senior member of the Hapsburg family.
(Sorry just thought I would show that other Austrian family)
The First World War changed all that, and shrank the country to a fraction of its imperial size, but didn’t stop Austrians continuing to enjoy food that had its origins in all corners of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a result, you’ll find dishes from, what is now, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, parts of modern day Poland, Slovenia and even northern Italy all incorporated on restaurant menus and on dining tables all over the country.
Austrians love their food and are a great meat-eating nation. But they also love their wonderful, cream laden desserts too.
Today, I’m going to give you a traditional main dish and a naughty pudding.
Wiener Schnitzel
Couldn’t be more Viennese, could it? Not with a name like that. Actually, this is another hark back to the days of Empire and is not even Austrian in origin. It is reputed to have found its way to Milan courtesy of the troops of Charles V of Spain (who abdicated in 1556), where it became known as Costolleta alla Milanese. In the mid nineteenth century, it became a great favourite of Field Marshall Radetzky who came across it during the Italian campaign of 1848. He praised it to Austria’s Emperor, Franz Josef, who immediately ordered that the palace chefs be taught how to make it. The rest, as they say, is history.
Traditionally, the schnitzel is made from veal but, these days, many chefs use pork loin. When ordering in Viennese restaurants, you will frequently be asked, ,Kalb oder Schwein?’ (Veal or pork?). Whatever your preference, it is usual to serve Schnitzel with Kartoffelsalat (potato salad).
To serve four, you will need:
4 lean pork loin chops
1 egg
flour for dredging
fine breadcrumbs (enough to coat all four escalopes)
salt
oil for frying
3 bowls
I frying pan/skillet
1. Place loin chops between sheets of waxed paper and roll out (or use tenderiser mallet) to reduce thickness of chops to escalopes of approx. one eighth of an inch. Sprinkle each fillet lightly with salt
2. In one bowl, put the flour; in the next, the beaten egg, and in the third bowl, put the breadcumbs
3. Dip each escalope firstly into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs and ensure they are coated thoroughly and evenly.
4. Heat the oil in the pan (medium heat) and fry, turning when browned, for around 3 minutes each side.
5. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and potato salad (here’s a tasty recipe http://lakelurecottagekitchen.com/2013/01/17/austrian-potato-salad/)
Now for that deliciously wicked pudding. Guaranteed to turn a saint into a sinner with one mouthful:
Heisse Liebe (Hot Love)
– per portion
2-3 scoops of best quality vanilla ice cream
3 tablespoons raspberries
half teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
4 fl. oz. (125ml) water
whipped cream
1. Put fruit, water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat gently until raspberries are hot, but not boiling. Don’t allow raspberries to turn to mush.
2. Scoop ice cream into chilled glasses. Pour hot raspberry mixture over. Decorate with whipped cream (you can add a wafer and/or fresh mint if preferred.
3. Serve immediately before the ice cream melts.
Orgasmus!
Enjoy your meal. Or, as we say in Austria:
Mahlzeit!
…………………You too Antonia. I don’t know about anyone else BUT I am making that one for Christmas Dinner.
Seducing Amanda is available here:
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Barnes and Noble All Romance Books Kobo.
Let’s have the blurb followed by our next set of sumexy Christmas recipes……
A lonely girl, a haunted house, and a ghostly passion from the past.
Escaping from a disastrous marriage, Amanda Dalton seeks a chance to heal her troubled mind at Dalton Manor, the rambling Victorian mansion recently inherited from her aunt. Her new home seems the perfect place to recuperate, but the house has a secret or two of its own. A mysterious couple comes to call–a beautiful man and woman who share their passion and encourage Amanda to explore her deepest sexual fantasies. But who are they? Where have they come from? Why won’t they tell her their names?
When Amanda discovers she is not the first to enjoy a ménage a troi with the couple, she’s drawn in ever deeper. She combs the house for clues to their identity, her desire to learn the truth becoming an obsession. But her work proves fruitless. With Christmas coming, Amanda knows she will soon have to make a decision–one that will determine the rest of her life. The snow is falling as she sips her wine. In the corner of her room, the lights twinkle on the Christmas tree near the fire. All is still and quiet. Until there’s a knock at the door…
Oohhhh. So, who is my next guest? And where are they from? Well, it is none other than Ranting Crow, a top commenter here and also a fabulous writer, I hope to see in print. Although one recipe combines with another, Ranting has three recipes all told, but one is specially for Lady Fury And, knowing what she’s like I think we’ll let her have that one first…..
Ranting has winged his way from Holland with a special recipe for Crumpets…..which we all know what that word can also mean…
Breakfast crumpets
A delicious idea for a Christmas breakfast. Yes it is the Crow here keeping his word and giving you this recipe to try!
580 ml milk
360 gram flour (around 12 ounce)
1,5 tsp dried Yeast 1/8 oz 5 grams
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
Sunflower oil or any vegetable oil for cooking
1 tbsp butter (not needed but love the flavour)
Depending on the rings used. I used 4inch or 10cm you have about 8-12 I do not use water as a normal recipe would do. If the batter is a bit to stiff slowly add a little water to make it less dense.
Heat the milk to be a bit warmed but not to warm, NOT boiling. Mix up the dry ingredients. Flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in the milk with the dry ingredients to a nice slow flowing batter. If you feel it is a little to thick add a little water. Leave covered with shrink foil for about 30-60 minutes. Giving the yeast time to do its magic together with the baking powder. If all went well you still have a nice thick yet slow running batter.
Heat a small amount of oil and butter in a frying pan and with some rings (used for baking eggs) to keep the batter together. Fill half a ring with the batter. In about 6 minutes you see air holes appear and batter is nice and firmed up. Take away the rings and turn. For another 4 minutes. Keep them coming till batter is gone.
Marinated Salmon
Have a nice piece of salmon no skin. Sprinkle some salt over the salmon. Put on the mustard and spread even Depending on your size a tablespoon should do on a piece of roughly 500 grams or 1 pound. Chop up the dill nice and fine and sprinkle over the mustard covered salmon.. Lay salmon on plate and cover with foil. Press nicely against the salmon till snug. Put to bed for about 6 hours in refrigerator with a plate on top upside down. Easy to be made the evening before.
Take out the salmon and slice thin slices to drape over a crumpet with a little touch of dill. Grind some sea salt and pepper to finish it.
Also nice with a preserves/comfiture of pears they are so nice this time a year that it fit Christmas very nicely. 3 nice ripe pears hand size. Peel and diced in a 100ml Applejuice, it is just about enough. At a table spoon of sugar on a half high fire and boil for about 10 minutes.
Or grilled ham with a little bit of honey and chives. Just a big sliced ham folded two times, grilled in pan and when gas if off drip over some honey and the chopped chives.
…………………..So there we go. It only remains for me to say thank you Antonia and ranting for sorting the Christmas breakfast and dinner.
.
Related articles
On the Sixth Day Of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
On the Fifth Day Of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
On The First Day of Christmas……. (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
Filed under: writing Tagged: Anne Lange, Antonia Van Zandt, Christmas, Crumpet recipe, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Heisse Liebe, Loving Lady Lazuli, Marinated salmon recipe, Ranting Crow, recipes, Seducing Amanda, Shehanne Moore, Wiener Schnitzel
December 16, 2013
On the Sixth Day Of Christmas
Okay, so it’s an Anne and Shehanne naughty day in our special giveaway to in honor of the cover reveals for our same day upcoming releases from Etopia Press.
Day 6
on the song..which when I last added to it , looked like this.
Four red silk ti-eyes
Three French kisses,
Two lace stockings,
And a brand new pretty red thong.
Yes Anne’s whose giveaway looks like this….
added another line on Friday there while I was offski being all industrious, nicely answering Christmas questions here….
Yes. Anne threw this into the mix….
Five of them. The lovely Noelle Clark was concerned that we might not be able to fit the words to the tune. But it’s not Five Harry’s met Sally’s…
It’s five…look, I am sure Anne meant the drink. 
I mean, I hope Anne realizes the trouble I have had trying to find stock photo images here. And of course Anne and I have sung the song through. And we got it to fit perfectly. We just took our time.
So there is no reason for our lovely Noelle not to sing it specially for everyone.
As for following that….. There is only one way I can. That is by showing you all a piece of my cover. Here it is. Ta-Dah…
(Sprinkles glitter dust)
Now then, mine is the sixth day and on the sixth day the actual song says….
Six–just let me make sure I spelt that correctly, these three letter words beginning in s and ending in x are hard. Six geese a-laying.
I don’t know that needed to be changed. I have a hero who will lay anything….. No not eggs. It just must be my mind is so grimy that …well…
Anyway our line goes like this…
SIX -
–again being very careful here…
New Positions
So what are they? Well…
As you can see..
That’s five and now we have one more. 
Sorry. Were we meaning other positions? Well…okay. Let’s take it from Harry and Sally.
The crouch……
The wishful thinking
The Mile High club…not…
Aliens just put their elbows together.
In the street with a tree as cover. Aka the Fooling Santa. Or even the having had enough of this Christmas shit, ramming the tree where the sun doesn’t shine.
the It was this size honey.
Oh, all right…
says there’s a hundred, so, it should be no trouble to find six. Do Saff and Dev, my heroine and hero? Now that would be telling. Let’s just say they find quite a few.
There you have today’s line and of course what Anne is sharing on her blog. http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/16/joy-to-the-world-and-lazy-geese/
As well as today’s tidbit from Loving Lady Lazuli. I gave you that piece of the cover. What more do you want? Oh all right. The other day we had what they want. Now we have what they are…..
You might know I don’t do perfect heroes and heroines. As for their backstory that snowy Christmas Eve…..it’s simple.. 
Remember to enter the
forget last week’s naughtiness regarding bedrails, ties and the When Harry Met Sally charade poll, just tell me your fav Christmas Song. Oh and please join me tomorrow when I have some fabulous recipes to share. Not mine by the way, so it’s quite safe.
Related articles
On the Fifth Day Of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
On the Fourth Day of Christmas…..There be dragons (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
On the third day of Christmas…it’s (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
On the Second Day of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
On The First Day of Christmas……. (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
Filed under: heroes, heroines, writing Tagged: Anne Lange, Christmas, Erotic Romance, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Loving Lady Lazuli, Noelle Clark, Romance, Shehanne Moore, Twelve Days of Christmas
December 13, 2013
On the Fifth Day Of Christmas
You know, just when I thought I was involved in one blog hop along came another…
Snazzy huh? Sumexy too.
What can I say though except you think I would learn to keep my big gub shut? More of the TNT Confidential 12 Days in a mo. I hope you are as mixed up as I am with this incestuous blog-swap/hopping. For the time being let us return to the present which means this.
Sorry this…
Wonderful, benevolent ones…especially to my copyeditor who may, or may not see my copyedits on the agreed day…. Of course she will. Just kidding.
So today is an advent calendar day, a rest day for me on the
giveaway to celebrate our same day, forthcoming releases from Etopia Press. That’s a rest day as opposed to an arrest day the kind of things we have been posting..
Today Anne adds another line to the song. (Tomorrow I sit in a heap foaming at the mouth) This is the fifth day line…
Just thinking Charades here…. a popular Christmas game. So, it’s your turn and you reach in the bowl and you draw out the slip of paper. You unfold it and it says….
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
How would you do this charade. Would you do…four words. Film. Second word and fourth word, name. Third word sounds like wet. Or would you just go for broke and ….give a long passionate moan……
Why am I asking? Well Anne’s day five is somewhat daring….
http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/13/fifth-day-of-christmas/
I have no idea how on earth I am going to follow that….At least I have till Monday to figure it out. I might have to scene steal this by showing a bit of my cover…. Seriously go pop over to Anne’s blog and tell her your fav carol. It’s all you have to do to enter her fabulous giveaway. To enter mine today. Please leave me a comment answering my charade question.
Now I said OTHER BLOG HOP . And yes I am moonlighting. I also have here today the organizer of that hop, my fabulous and special doodle pal, the lovely author Elyzabeth M. Valey. 
No she ‘s not here to tell us about the hop (I will at the end.) I promised you different things this Christmas and Elyzabeth, who lives in Spain is here to talk about——
The American+ Cuban+ Spanish way of Christmas
(P S…get ready to lick your lips!!! Here goes)
‘I love Christmas! Love, love, love it! Every year I look forward to this time of year. I wish I could say why exactly, but I have no idea *shrug* I guess it’s the magic in the air *smiles*or the way I celebrate Christmas. Due to my cultural background and my place of residence, you could say that my Christmas has always been and is still special.
(AWWW. A little Elyzabeth in Brazil.)
Food: Ah, the food, one of the best part of Christmas is that you can eat all you want and it never makes you fat, right? (Yeah, yeah,I know, wishful thinking there).
Anyhow, at my house we have Christmas dinner on December 24th. It begins at around 10pm and last until 11pm or so because we are a small family. We follow a more Latin approach to the meal and eat a pork dish, rice, black beans and yuca. In my house dessert varies with each person, but usually we will bake something like a cake or cupcakes for the occasion. 
For breakfast the next day we like to have pancakes and maple syrup, something not common here in Spain as many Spaniards still confuse pancakes with crepes and don’t even know what maple syrup is*sigh*.
Spaniards also have Christmas dinner or cena de Noche Buena on December 24th. Their meal also begins at around 10pm and can last several hours (depending on the size of the family). A lot of the time it includes appetizers like ham, chorizo, cheese, salchichón… and most families have fish and shellfish for dinner. Some popular Spanish sweets are turrón and polvorones.
The typical turrón is made of almonds, honey, sugar and eggs, but every year new flavors come out. My favorite is the white chocolate one and that’s a must buy at my house since the end of November when they start appearing in stores.
Polvorones, are a sort of soft and crumbly short bread. Can’t really explain more because I don’t like them much, *Shrug*
*Roscón de Reyes* This sweet oval cake is worth mentioning because it’s very typical and yummy, but it’s not eaten during Christmas. Instead, Roscón de Reyes is sampled on January 6th, Día de Reyes, which is when most Spanish children get their gifts. The Roscón has sugar and dried candied fruit on top.
Some come with whipped cream filling too. Finally, most Roscón have a hidden figure inside. If you find the hidden figure (I’ve found anything from a baby to a bird to a Donald Duck) you’ll have a year of good luck. However, if you find the haba (a bean) you’ll have to pay for the Roscón.
Gifts: Santa has always been the Big Boss around my house. Ever since I can remember, letters were written to Santa and the jolly old man delivered the gifts on the 24th and we opened them early on the 25th. Now a days, we don’t wake up so early any more but we still open gifts on the 25th *smile* 
(EVEN bigger AWWWWWWWW Elyzabeth and her sister with the 3 kings)
Since my mom is Cuban she didn’t want us to lose her part of the Latin heritage so The Three Kings also came to my house. Los Reyes Magos brought their gift/ gifts on the night of January 5th to be opened on the morning of January 6th. Spain celebrates Reyes more than they celebrate Santa. As a matter a fact, most children (and adults) only get presents from the Three Kings. Part of the Spanish tradition is to put the children’s shoes out under the tree so that the King’s can know for who the toys are. (In my house we put up stockings).
Some other fun curiosities…
If you’ve misbehaved… (Shehanne looks innocent.)Here, if you’ve been naughty parents will tell their children that the Reyes will bring them Carbón or coal. A few years ago (well, more than a few) we discovered that they actually make candy called sweet coal and well, it looks like coal.
(One I snapped last year)
Ornaments: At my house we set up the tree, the stockings, the lights and my dream is to have a train going around the tree. Spaniards and Cubans like to place nativity scenes or what is called a Belen. When I was a kid we used to set up a small one with Jesus, Joseph , Mary, the Three Kings, and the animals, but Belenes can be huge. A good example is the one set up by the Madrid Town Hall every year. If you ever visit Madrid during Christmas time it’s well worth the visit even if the lines are long because the detail of the figures and the way they’re set up is overwhelming. You can get an idea in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVfKYoV-gyE
Music: Spanish Christmas carols have nothing to do with those from the USA or Britain. In Spain we call them Villancicos and most of them have a religious connotation. 
Some popular ones are Los Peces en el Río, Campana sobre Campana, 25 de diciembre fum fum fum, Ande, ande, ande la Marimorena.
This is Campana sobre Campana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXyxXPok4hE
As for me, I fill my mp3 player with songs such as Here comes Santa Claus, Santa Claus is coming to town, Let it Snow, Jingle Bell Rock, All I want for Christmas is you, Twelve Days of Christmas, and so on… both in a more traditional and a more metal version *wink*’
Happy Holidays!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDl0rIOr5Zw
Okay. Hope you enjoyed hearing about Christmas in Spain. Two things…
One Elyzabeth has a new release here. A Christmas one!! Ideal for thus presently naughty blog. OOOH. ‘The Uncertain List.’
Tristan’s job is to investigate those people on Santa’s Uncertain List and determine whether they’re truly Naughty or Nice. His last mission of the year is Amy, a sweet girl with a kinky streak that will make his job harder than expected.
Available at:
Silver Publishing
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
All Romance Ebooks
Barnes & Noble
AND there is her blog hop. 
http://inadreambeyond.blogspot.com/
It starts today and features
Doris O’ Connor
Freddy Mackay
Nicola Cameron
JC Wallace
Melissa Hosack
Shehanne Moore
Carlene Love Flores
Iyana Jenna
Victoria Adams
Julie Hayes
AND her good self of course. Every day until December 24th (included), one of us will pop in for a merry visit, share a holiday anecdote, talk about the season and their seasonal book. On December 25th all winners will be announced.
Each author comes bearing with them gifts. All you have to do to win is come visit each day and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.
Furthermore, there is also a Grand prize of $30 Amazon Gift Card, so by entering each author’s individual contest you also get an entry for the card.
What are you waiting for.
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On the Second Day of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
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Filed under: blogging Tagged: Anne Lange, Christmas, Christmas carols, Christmas Food, Christmas in Spain, Cuban Christmas traditions, Elyzabeth M. Valey, Giveaway, The Uncertain List
December 12, 2013
On the Fourth Day of Christmas…..There be dragons
Yep, it’s that banner again. SO-
Welcome to Day 4 of the Anne and Shehanne giveaway
…and more besides..
where we’re re-inventing the lyrics to a certain fabulous Christmas song and putting our own sexy twist on it in honor of the cover reveals for our same day upcoming releases from Etopia Press. Ooh-hoo
Between times we’re posting other Christmas things…As you can see with Anne’s blog today
http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/12/o-holy-night/
Returning to the song, yesterday Anne did line 3. Very, very smexily too.
http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/11/third-day-of-christmas/
So smexily I have to show it….
The Twelve Naughty Days of Christmas…
One the third day of Christmas, our true love gave to us…
Three French kisses,
Two lace stockings,
And a brand new pretty red thong.
Today, I have line four….
In the actual song that’s four calling birds
Well they are, aren’t they? At least that one at the head of the line is. Of course maybe you were thinking this…
What are they saying?
It could be some real sexy calling birds…..
But our song isn’t crude like that. Our song is worse. And today what our true love gave us are four red silk ties……..
Yes. Now…clearing the throat here after Day 2′s extract involving bedrails and things led to you ignoring my request for your fav song and coming up with suggestions as to what was going to happen next instead. I mean ..heaven’s I don’t want you all thinking I have a thing for bedrails and ties…..just because a few sentences later, it says….
“So don’t be coy,” she whispered. “Or I’ll have to tie your ankles as well.”
“Is that so, Miss Armstrong?”
“Cassidy. You should call me it.”
But do feel free to let your imaginations run wild as to what happens next. You can see constraint does somewhat feature…..
To enter the giveaway it’s all you need to do–leave a comment. Also….do please help me welcome my special guest today, debut author and all round nice girl, Jane Hunt, who does a ton of work for other people. Jane is here today as part of a blog tour, which I signed up for before Anne and I got going. So that is why there be dragons here today too. No. Not Jane..her book. On the very first stop of her tour too!
Actually, I thought it was Jane, but it’s not, it’s her heroine…. Fleur, from The Dragon Legacy, just released by Crimson Frost Books. AND there’s a giveaway. Yes! The link is below at the end of the post. A piccie of some of the prizes too….
Oops…sorry….wrong one.
Fleur: It’s lovely to be here Shehanne.
Shey. Oh. that’s what they all say to start with. A pity I hadn’t know YOU were coming along, we could have brought out the hot seat and put Jane in it, so you could grill her. But you’re up for a few questions are you?
Fleur :Ask away…
Shey. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Fleur : I recently hid in a dark creepy cave even though I hate confined spaces.
Shey : Hmmm. I have a hero does that. So you’re impulsive?
Fleur. I never used to be. More timid, afraid to make any decisions on my own but meeting Lukas changed me. So did the world he exposed me to. I’ve a strong survival instinct now and will do what it takes to cheat death.
Shey : Sounds like you’ve had a wild adventure can you tell us about it?
Fleur : Well I never expected a murder mystery event to be so surreal. Forget ‘Professor Plumb’ and’ Colonel Mustard’
(He did it with his moustache)
and meet Lukas Draco and Xavier Serpente.
Shey . Lukas? Hmmmm. Xavier…So are they as hot as they sound?
(Or maybe it was with that yellow playing piece? Could be nasty.)
Fleur . Mmm and some, in ways you couldn’t imagine.
Shey. Intriguing you would think that…
Fleur. Xavier isn’t my type too smooth. I like a man to have rough edges to hold my interest. Lukas is different he has a wildness which attracts me…
‘His face was the epitome of masculine beauty, characterized by well-defined angular cheekbones, covered with pale, almost translucent skin. Its apparent delicacy did not detract from his masculinity; he looked like a fallen angel.’
Shey… OOOH……..Sumexy. I’m glad we’re not talking about Colonel Mustard.
(My god, I know he said the rope…but….)
Fleur (blushes,) I’ve probably said too much…
Shey. No you haven’t said enough. So was it Love or Lust when you first met Lukas?
Fleur. Neither Lukas frightened me; a passionate stranger who threatened my heart. I wanted to run but I kept turning round to make sure he was following you know what I mean?
Shey . I really can’t imagine (Winks) Do you believe in ‘Happy Ever After?….With a man like this??????
Fleur . I want to. Don’t we all if we’re honest.
Blurb
‘When emotionally fragile Fleur Curwen decides she wants excitement in her boring life she signs up for a Murder Mystery Weekend in the wilds of the English Lake District. She enters a paranormal world where
danger and death are common occurrences.
Demon slayer Lukas Draco is a loner. He lives by two simple rules: No
emotional entanglements and duty must remain his first priority. His
beliefs are challenged when he’s inexplicably drawn to Fleur, a human
woman with an unusual psychic aura. Sparks of sexual attraction ignite
threatening both his search for the dragon’s egg he buried a thousand years ago and Fleur’s life. Under the cover of a murder mystery weekend an apocalyptic hunt begins’
Author Bio: As a child Jane had a complete stable of make believe horses and her imagination remains as vivid. Now it creates characters and scenarios which provide the inspiration for her stories.
She is so excited to finally have career as a writer.
Her love affair with the written word started as a teenager. She secretly dreamed of writing the romantic novels she loved to read. Life had other plans for her. Marriage at twenty-one whilst still at university launched her into a career in health service management. She often thought about writing in her spare time but her career and two wonderful children kept her occupied 24/7. Illness forced an abrupt end to her career. Always the optimist she seized the opportunity to write full time in 2012.
The Dragon Legacy is her first published novel and she is excited to be sharing it with a wider audience.
When not writing she enjoys reading, book reviewing, social media and walking in the countryside. She is passionate about animal welfare.
Connect with Jane Hunt on Social Media:
Jane Hunt Writer Facebook Page
The Dragon Legacy Facebook Page
Jane Hunt Writer Book Reviews Google+ Page
The Dragon Legacy — 20 December 2013
Link for Rafflecopter Giveaway:
The Dragon Legacy Blog Tour Giveaway
Prizes are:
The Dragon Legacy e-book (2 prizes)
Birdcage Necklace by Megan Jane
Crackle stone Bracelet by Megan Jane
Flower Bracelet by Megan Jane
£5 Amazon Gift Certificate (2 prizes)
Filed under: Guest bloggers, heroes, heroines, writing Tagged: Anne Lange, Christmas, Crimson Frost Press, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Jane Hunt, Loving Lady Lazuli, Shehanne Moore, The Dragon Legacy, Twelve Days of Christmas 
December 11, 2013
On the third day of Christmas…it’s
Or, maybe, remembering I am Scots, Seasons Greetings should look like this…
However they should look, it’s OKAY. A normal advent calendar day instead of the Anne and Shehanne naughty giveaway.
http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/09/first-day-of-christmas/
Though I must say, you were all so imaginative about stockings and bedrails yesterday, I think I can forget asking you about your favourite carol.
http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/on-the-second-day-of-christmas/
Anne has the third day posted. http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/11/third-day-of-christmas/
Which we know involves French hens in the official version.
So far ours is looking like this.
LOOK, I’m not telling. You will have to visit Anne.
Two lace stockings,
And a bright red thong
So pop over. Leave a comment to enter her giveaway. Leave one here to enter mine. I have day four tomorrow…… Hmm, what will that be?
As I said yesterday Etopia have a lovely new website and to help celebrate that launch I have one of their Shameless authors… Look, that IS the name of the imprint okay? Rhonda is well behaved… like Amne and me. Yes , I have the lovely Rhonda Laurel.
a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She’s here with me today to open an advent calendar door and tell us not just about her books but share a few Christmas hopes in the present’s stakes.
Shey. Firstly Rhonda can you tell us a little about yourself?
Rhonda . I am a contemporary romance writer. I have been quite busy the last year and a half. I love to write and especially love to interweave plots and characters, building my fictional world.
Shey. Well, you’ve an impressive list of titles. 
er…covers too…what’s been the hardest book for you to write?
Rhonda. MVP was the most challenging because I was venturing in uncharted territory.
The couple’s together and in love from, For the Love of the Game, so what’s next? That’s where the fun and challenges continue in MVP. You see Morgan and Seth grow as a couple and as individuals.
Shey. You also have a recent release. Can you spill a little about that?
Rhonda. The Blake Legacy is the continuation of Morgan and Seth’s love story. They meet in For the Love of the Game, continue their romance in MVP and now we see them in the next stage of their relationship. Married, busy careers and a baby! Some new things come up for both of them and we get to see how the Blakes deal with it while continuing their loving bond.
Shey. Gotta say Rhonda the cover is a seller! But–trying to behave here–in a nutshell, why should we read this book?
Rhonda. There is something loving and tender about their relationship. Readers have conveyed how much they love reading about them and some wish they could have their very own Seth. Lol.
Shey. DO we blame them? 
Rhonda . He’s a rich, handsome quarterback with a ranch and a penthouse. But he’s also a sweet guy who loves his wife and child.
Shey. Huh! I suppose nobody’s perfect! Sorry..it’s just that cover… You’ve a lot of work out there, do you have a favorite character or are they all your special babies?
Rhonda. I cannot point out a favorite. Each of them tugs at my heart and it would be too hard to decide.
Shey . Aww. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Rhonda. I always had a fertile imagination as a child and it’s spilled over into my adulthood. Writing and reading can take you to the most wonderful places all within the comfort of your home.
Shey Any advice to give an aspiring writer?
Rhonda . Never discount the power of your words. Find your voice, then go find your audience.
Shey. Now Rhonda, it’s only so many days till Christmas. What are you hoping for in your stocking?
Rhonda . I would be happy with a DVD collection of The Golden Girls.
Shey. See I said she was well behaved. Not like some of the answers Anne and I might have come up with. No. I am behaving too. What about Seth and Morgan, what little gifts are they planning to give each other this Christmas? 
Rhonda. That’s a good question! As new parents, I can see Morgan focusing on the baby but Seth will surprise her with something exquisite.
Shey What’s next for Rhonda Laurel?
Rhonda . I plan to be a busy writing bee in 2014. I am currently working on Hollywood Rush, the sequel to my novella Star Crossed. I am also writing a few more books for The Blake Boys Series. Morgan and Seth have another book in them and I will be writing a story for everyone’s favorite, hot, country western singer, Tate McGill.
Shey You can find out more about that and Rhonda here. Oh, and see her gorgeous cover again below.
Website: http://www.rhondalaurel.com
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel
Two lovers. Two dreams. One hell of a hard decision…
NFL quarterback Seth Blake is having an unbelievable hot streak—he’s won his third Super Bowl title the same day his wife Morgan gave birth to their son. Life couldn’t be better for the new father and MVP. His contract with the Philadelphia Titans expires in a year, giving him a chance to make a professional dream come true: to play in his home state for the Texas Wildcats and return to his much-missed Twelve Horseshoes Ranch—this time, for good.
Morgan Reed-Blake has never been happier. She’s got the best husband, the cutest baby, and she’s successfully juggling career and family. Her bookstore is expanding, her charitable organization is growing, and she’s been offered her dream job on the literacy council. Everything in her Philadelphia world is coming up roses. Until Seth’s contract with the Titans expires, and his dream of returning home comes close enough to touch…and the powers that be in Texas start romancing Seth in earnest. Morgan and Seth both have dreams. But a choice has to be made…
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Filed under: Author Interviews, heroes, heroines, writing Tagged: Advent calendar, Anne Lange, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Etopia Press, Rhonda Laurel, Shehanne Moore, The Blake Legacy
December 10, 2013
On the Second Day of Christmas
A Special Pre Release Anne Lange and Shehanne Giveaway
Now, we all know what this is, don’t we? This logo means just what it says. Whereas a nice Christmas pic… Like this….
Or this….
CLUNK!!!!!!
Means another one of my lovely Advent Calendar guests. We’ve had four so far all told, counting Cat, Julia and Steve, horror writers extraordinaire, individually.
Today…well, you can see what today is, the second line of the 12 Days of Christmas which started yesterday over on Anne Lange’s blog-
http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/09/first-day-of-christmas/
and which I introduced here too. http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/on-the-first-day-of-christmas/
Since we’re both sharing the same release date courtesy of the just revamped Etopia Press. Anne with the Rush imprint, me with Raw Silk. Just click the pic if you want to see some of the fab books or the submission guidelines.
So, the second day of Christmas our true loves gave to us… We know the song says Turtle Doves. 
emblems of devoted love, before any of you start thinking handy for the Christmas table.
A migratory species with a southern Palearctic range, also known as the European Turtle Dove. Will I stop boring on for turtle doves now and show you what Anne and I came up with? Yes…….
Yes. Lace stockings. Anne mainly since I was a bit busy.
Oh all right. I’ll behave now… Or rather….NOT.
Look…. Anne picked this pic.
What have stockings to do with Loving Lady Lazuli? Apart from the fat the top pair are more what she might wear to put the hero off……? Why, the little tidbit I want to share today..
Here’s two tiny tasters, one for each leg.
“Let go of my stockings, Ruby.” Cass continued folding them. “And stop arguing. I don’t have time. The carriage will be here soon. I’ve made up my mind. Anyway he has things I want.”
She meant the papers of course.
……………………………………….
“Miss Armstrong…”
“Yes, Lord Hawley.”
“What do you think you’re doing?”
What did he think she was doing? With his wrist, a piece of stocking, and the bedrail? What did it look like for goodness sake? That she was practicing her embroidery?
“I’m making you comfortable. My way.”
……..copyright Shehanne Moore. Etopia Press
So what do you think she was doing? Telling I could ask you to leave an answer in the comments section to enter the giveaway but the answer might surprise you. Instead I’m doing as Anne did and asking you to tell me your fav Christmas song or carol.
There’s no prizes for it being ours, but there is an ecopy of Loving Lady Lazuli, (not available till 17th Jan.) And a cover keyring for a randomly drawn commenter. Anne has goodies too over on her blog.
Filed under: writing Tagged: Anne Lange, Etopia Press, European Turtle Dove, Friends With Benefits, Loving Lady Lazuli, Shehanne Moore, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Turtle Dove 
December 9, 2013
On The First Day of Christmas…….
Anne Lange gave to me…..
A Shine On Award.
Sorry, were you all expecting to see something else….Something like..
A Special Pre Release Anne Lange and Shehanne Giveaway
a naughty version of a certain song? It’s okay Anne, there’s no need to regret that lovely email you sent me this morning saying how glad you were to be doing this with me. You should know by now I NEVER do things properly. And if you want organization folks you need to visit Anne. http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/09/first-day-of-christmas/
She’s even got nice photo up of her giveaway while right now I don’t even have a giveaway. BUT I WILL. Just bear with me, this post is complicated. The basic deal…aren’t you glad to hear there is one… is that Anne and I have new released due out with Etopia Press on the SAME DAY. Yes.
Loving Lady Lazuli (Shehanne)
and
Friends with Benefits (Anne)
And rather than banjo each other out the way —I might lose– we came up with a whizzo idea. To rewrite the 12 Days of Christmas song line by line, alternatively each day–no weekends– leading up to the Cover reveals on December 24th, when we will also give you the full new version of the thong. 
Sorry. SONG. Goodness did I just give away–talking such things–Anne’s first line? I think I did. So I might as well show you her lovely giveaway.
My lord, I better get something together…..
We’ll also be sharing tidbits about our forthcoming books. So Anne starts over on her blog. TO enter just follow this link and answer a simple question http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/09/first-day-of-christmas/
What is your favourite Christmas Carol? 
That’s a sort of hideous pic of Regency carol singers because Loving Lady Lazuli is set in England in 1809. And Christmas Eve features prominently in the story. More of that later.
Dear author friends, Noelle, Rhonda, Tracey, Charley and Elyzabeth…your posts will all be here on the days between. And as some of these posts are fabulously Christmassy, what continuing treats await you all, to go with the two you’ve already had, you fortunate people……
To return to the Shine On Award– I am impressed that with my gammy, unlettered keyboard I spelt that correctly– to accept it I need to spill 7 things about myself, while linking back to Anne.
You have her blog link above. I also have to pass it to 4 writers of ‘sufficient talent, character, and fortitude’.
Rather than bore you with 7 more useless facts about myself, as well as sharing this blog with Anne, I wanted to take Anne’s and see how much we have in common. Especially as at the weekend there, for the space of a day, we were both on Etopia’s snazzy new website as Rush imprint writers http://www.etopia-press.net/
So. 1 Anne is a couch potato….. Hmm.. I would love to be. I just hardly get the chance!
2 Anne says Pasha to measuring when she bakes….. But does she bake the icing sugar by mistake? Should I even mention last Christmas’s cup cake disaster and how they were on the blog…photoshopped?
Before.
After.
(Nancy Cassidy, Etopia’s Managing Editor asked us for recipes for Facebook recently. needless to say I kept out of that one. TO think Nancy thought I genuinely meant it when I said I would but I would have to photoshop any offering first. )
3 Shoes? Oh yes. I own 100 pairs easy and that’s not counting boots. it is to with owning 2 as a child!
4 I’ve never been to Hedonism in Jamaica.
5 I don’t have three children. I have two and the credited to Hemingway baby shoes not worn line.
6 Dancing? YES!
7. If I could go back to school, the teachers would run a mile. Actually, to go back I’d have had to have gone in the first place.
Ok..So Anne and I do share some things. But not all! Now I want to hand this on for courage and fortitude, to the following writers, some of whom have been calling on every ounce recently.
Catherine Cavendish www.catherinecavendish.com who writes wonderful dark horror. The real McCoy.
Incy Black http://incyblack.weebly.com/ who doesn’t just write with bite, she has it too.
Noelle Clark http://www.noelleclark.net/ who writes wonderful books in wonderful settings.
Faith Ashlin http://faithashlin.blogspot.com/
Faith writes M and M. Okay. But then she forgets she does and she has books out……
Filed under: writing Tagged: A Shne On Award, Anne Lange, Catherine Cavendish, Christmas, Etopia Press, Faith Ashlin, Friends With Benefits, Incy Black, Jamaica, Loving Lady Lazuli, Noelle Clark, The Naughty 12 Days Of Christmas
December 5, 2013
And his name shall be called… Icepack…
So, what do we have today in this little calendar of advent surprises? Well, we could have the children, after their experience the other day with the box of ‘goodies’ , trolling the ancient yule-tide carol. But alas, this is what we are doing re that. 
With this lot too.
and what we are going for is something a little more upbeat…
okay, so that wasn’t taken yesterday….How’s this instead?
The legendary Mr Tali Icepack Jackson who hasn’t just played with more greats than you and I could ping a string at, he’s pretty damn great himself and it’s my absolute privilege, having met him on twitter land —lol! one day when the gale was blasting both sides of the pond – to have him here today, chewing the fat and spilling a few secrets. Out of the blue, Tali has been amazingly kind to me. It’s what I love most about this crazy biz that you can meet the most amazing people and better still, get to know them. I just hope you are not going to get awkward and want to hear from these carol singers instead…
Shey. Icepack, firstly my jaw is on the deck, please let me pick it up in order to continue. You’ve played, and, or recorded with, Bob Dylan, 
Ella Fitzgerald–who I adore– 
Bette Midler, The Monkees,
Mike Bloomfield, John Scofield, Bonnie Raitt, to name a few, a very big question here, now that I have picked my jaw back up, but how did some of that feel?
Tali Icepack Jackson -It felt like I was on a cloud working with some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Shey. SO we are drawing up our chairs here….because I also see from this interview here, let’s just quote it re a certain all night jam-
BOB MARLEY, myself and a French soap opera TV star jammed all night and into the next day at a friend’s loft.
can you tell us if there’s been some favs there in terms of working with all these greats?
Tali Icepack Jackson – Working with Ella Fitzgerald, who was a walk-on at a gigantic convention in Las Vegas, was a total surprise and to just have her turn around and give me that famous smile is a moment I will never forget. Also, working with famous bass legends Harvey Brooks (Bob Dylan, Electric Flag), Will Lee (David Letterman), Doug Lubahn (Doors), Rick Danko (The Band), Roger Troy (Mike Bloomfield) to name a few was truly an honor. You can always tell when a drummer and a bass player fit together like hand and glove.
Shey. It’s ok, I won’t ask about the worst……
Tali Icepack Jackson. There is never a worst, I learn from everyone I work with good, or bad!
Shey. Yeah. A bit like life itself! Okay, another biggie, I’m pretty sure looking at the length of time you’ve been playing, these artists were honored to play with you! But are there any felt honored to play with?
Tali Icepack Jackson. I have learned from everyone I’ve worked with. I don’t know if they were honoured to work with me! But I was truly honored to work with them.
Shey. Obviously you’re a pretty damned fine musician yourself—a Cool Blues Cat, I’ve seen you described as–what started it for you?
Tali Icepack Jackson. My junior high school music teacher during our first music class, trying to determine who would play or sing what, asked us all to #1 sing & #2 blow into a horn. Neither worked for me or came naturally so he asked me to go into the closet stacked with musical instruments and I dragged out the drum set.
Shey. A defining moment. And so a legend was born. Drums, bass, guitar and percussion. Anything you don’t play?
Tali Icepack Jackson - It’s not like I can play guitar like Eric Clapton, or bass like one of the legends I mentioned above but drums is my primary instrument and I can play the other instruments good enough to lay down an adequate bass or rhythm guitar line. 
or bang out something on a keyboard. which I did on my first CD ‘BK2SQ!’, nothing fancy but adequate. the legendary Al Kooper showed up at an early Bob Dylan session hired as a guitar player, saw Mike Bloomfield was also there and knew he would not be playing guitar so he sat down at the organ and was doodling and Bob Dylan heard him and said that’s perfect for the song ‘Like A Rolling Stone’.
Bob Dylan was never shy about using someone inexperienced on an instrument to play it. I was asked to play on his Rolling Thunder Tour, missed the phone call to record Hurricane Carter so he used the keyboard player on drums and if you listen, well listen to the drums. I would love the opportunity to work with Bob Dylan again.
Shey. Can you tell us about your own musical influences?
Talu Icepack Jackson. Gene Krupa and any 1930s or 1940s drummer, Sly and the Family Stone, The Chambers Brothers, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, James Brown,
Lovin’ Spoonful, The Beatles and all of the British invasion bands, any blues guitar & keyboard player from the 1920s thru the 1950s i.e. Guitar Slim, Charles Brown, Roosevelt Sykes, Slim Harpo, Lil Brother Montgomery, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Reed, Sunnyland Slim, I could go on for days. I’ll listen to everything and make a mental note when I hear something that I like.
Speaking of influences, in the summertime my brother and I would leave our windows open so we could hear the music from this club called the ‘Cottage Inn’ which had some awesome music including pre Lovin’ Spoonful members and other people who would go on to be legends in the music biz. 
Check the pic on this website with pre Lovin’ Spoonful members at the club about 50 yards down the road!
Shey. Nowadays you live in New York….Where it’s kind of freezing… A bit like sunny Scotland….
Tali Icepack Jackson. I was born in New York city and grew up on Long Island and still live at the end in Montauk.
When I was growing up I was not a cold weather person and still remember my mother waking us up in the winter for school and looking out the window and seeing snow. I would just sit there with a blanket over my head, watching the 3 Stooges and cartoons and listening to the radio station that influenced me the most as a teenager. They just celebrated their 50th anniversary. I can’t get enough of the West Coast weather!
Shey. And you make a lot of sweet music just the same!
Tali Icepack Jackson. Well thank you, I try my best and learned from doing a lot of commercials to hold myself accountable for what I play before the public hears it!! It also has to with the mix and the people you work with to hold themselves accountable instead of letting the person mixing the music to find your mistakes while he mixing. It’s better to stop the song while recording or fixing it in the studio before it goes to the person mixing the song.
Shey. You make appearances too…
Tali Icepack Jackson. Appearances will be more often after the 2nd CD is completed. I must take the time to thank all of the people who have supported me and have helped promote the first CD even though they did not participate in the making of it. That is truly an honor and I don’t plan to let them down with the 2nd CD. 
Shey. Tali, I doubt that very much. But I know you are keen to get that CD out there. Where do you mainly find your material?
Tali Icepack Jackson. I am not a true songwriter. i dream up some songs or someone will say something that sparks an idea and i have friends who are awesome songwriters.
Shey. So what’s next for Tali Icepack Jackson?
Tali Icepack Jackson. The CD tentatively titled BK2BIZ, which is mapped out and recording is in progress. I will be recording on the East and West coasts. Most of the legends will be returning plus even more unbelievable legendary musicians who you hear on the radio everyday, like the legends on the first CD.
Shey. Well having that heard that because you were kind enough to send me a copy I am tapping my fingers here…just waiting. I am also dying to ask–especially as we’re being hammered by icy blasts here in Scotland–how did you come up with the name ‘Icepack.’
Tali Icepack Jackson. I was working at a local K-Mart style store and I was the Stock Room Manager and some of the managers were robbing the place blind.
Shey. Not you I hope Tali!
Tali Icepack Jackson. Uhh! To keep me occupied the managers had me work on this project while they carried everything out the back door. The project included heavy lifting which sprained both of my shoulders.
Shey. Right…
Tali Icepack Jackson. At the time I was playing with a blues band called the MOJOS and the lady cook would come out and put ICEPACKS on my shoulders as I was playing. One night the guitar player turned around and said your nickname is ICEPACK. that was around 1993. I think the name has stuck!
Shey. It only remains for me to thank you for taking the time to come here today. WELL, it doesn’t exactly. I have to say I have been listening to ‘BK2SQ!’ and I am going to be reviewing it but you might as well know, I love it. Especially the mixture of rock, jazz and blues. No wonder on the Reverbnation Charts it is listed
blues rank USA #3
blues rank GLOBAL #4
blues rank Across All Genres #294 out of over 3
million artists.
http://www.reverbnation.com/controller/store/view_item_album/artist_667299?item_id=517977&eid=A667299___lnk1012&utm_content=1012&utm_medium=email&utm_source=fr_layout_13
Please catch up with Icepack here. http://www.rvrb.me/fan_reach/pt?eid=A667299___lnk1009&url=https://www.youtube.com/user/ICEPACKJACKSON/featured?view_as%3Dpublic
https://twitter.com/icepack9999
https://twitter.com/icepackrecords
https://www.facebook.com/icepack9999
Filed under: artists, Musicians Tagged: 'BK2SQ!', Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Ella Fitzgerald, John Scofield, Mike Bloomfield, Monkees, Montauk, Musicians, Reverbnation, Tali Icepack Jackson 
